N5333Y
PIPER PA-23-250
The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial observation flight over the Atlantic Ocean looking for Cuban rafters. A boat was spotted with people waving as if they needed assistance. The pilot elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. The pilot descended to about 20 feet and collided with a mast on the boat. The pilot diverted to an airport and landed without further incident.
On June 19, 1994, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N5333Y, registered to C and I Flying Services, leased to Brothers to the Rescue, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial observation flight, collided with a boat mast while maneuvering at a low altitude above the Atlantic Ocean. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Damage to the boat is unknown. The commercial pilot, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Opa Locka, Florida, about 2 hours 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot diverted to Marathon, Florida, and landed without further incident. The accident was reported to the NTSB by a newspaper reporter 1 day after the accident. The pilot stated they spotted a boat about 50 miles southeast of Marathon, Florida, with personnel waving at the airplane. He elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. He descended to about 20 feet and collided with a mast on the boat.
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual outlook and a safe altitude while making a low pass over a boat, resulting in an in-flight collision with the boat mast.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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